Atlanta Falcons: Ten keys for victory vs. Panthers

Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) gestures at the line of scrimmage against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

10. Make the most of opportunities

In the NFL, there are always plays you would consider to be half-chances that could have turned the momentum of a game. Up against this Panthers team, the Falcons have to take these tough chances. If Cam Newton throws a ball with a slight chance to pick it off, make the play.

If the Falcons get in the red zone. Convert. To beat the Panthers, you need to be flawless, put points on the board and don’t leave missed opportunities on the field. The Panthers get it done week in week out, and the Falcons will have to do the same to have a chance of winning.

9. Use the no-huddle offense

The Panthers own one of the league’s top defenses, and while dominating time of possession is important, mixing in some effective no-huddle offense can yield plenty of benefits too.

By upping the tempo and moving the ball quickly, the Falcons can wear down the Panthers defense and make it tougher for them to find a rhythm and line up properly. By being aggressive and rushing to the line, substitutions become tough to make and it’s more likely you’ll catch them lined up incorrectly.

It’s not easy to run the no-huddle, but using it at times could be effective.

Next: Achieving balance